Nigeria international Fisayo Dele-Bashiru remains on the books at Lazio, but his future at the club is far from certain as new manager Maurizio Sarri prepares to make key decisions ahead of the new Serie A campaign, Footynaija.com reports.
The 23-year-old midfielder joined Lazio at the start of the 2023/24 season on loan from Turkish Süper Lig side Hatayspor, where he had impressed during his debut season after arriving on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday in July 2023.
Lazio paid an initial €2 million loan fee to secure Dele-Bashiru’s services, beating off interest from multiple clubs. The Rome-based side included a purchase option, which they later exercised for an additional €3.43 million before the end of the season, making the move permanent.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru shines for Lazio with a goal in their victory over Monza! @fisayodele6_ #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/oD4C7g9WDu
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) February 9, 2025
Blessed with technical quality and dynamism, Dele-Bashiru appeared well-suited to the tactical demands of Serie A. He featured in 20 league matches, contributing three goals and one assist, and also impressed in eight Europa League appearances, scoring twice and providing two assists.
However, despite showing flashes of brilliance, he struggled to fully integrate into Marco Baroni’s system. The former Manchester City academy graduate was used in various roles — central midfield, attacking midfield, and occasionally out wide — but never truly nailed down a consistent spot.
Superb strike from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru on his #UEL debut pic.twitter.com/XpUVVmU9YM
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 27, 2024
Baroni, unconvinced, handed Dele-Bashiru just 12 Serie A starts, brought him off the bench eight times, and left him unused on 16 occasions. The Nigerian international ended the season with only 943 minutes of league action.
Lazio ultimately finished seventh, missing out on European qualification, prompting the club to part ways with Baroni. In his place, Maurizio Sarri — who previously managed the club and boasts silverware from spells at Chelsea (UEFA Europa League) and Juventus (Serie A title) — was reappointed.
85’ — comes on
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) November 24, 2024
90+2’ — scores
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru steps off the bench to deliver for Lazio tonight pic.twitter.com/q5rN2IQVbi
Sarri now holds the reins firmly and, according to Tutto Mercato Web, will take a detailed look at Dele-Bashiru during pre-season before deciding whether the player fits into his plans for a new-look Lazio.
Should Sarri deem the Nigerian midfielder surplus to requirements, a summer exit could be on the cards.
Dele-Bashiru won’t be short of suitors. Several Premier League clubs reportedly monitored him during the January transfer window, and a return to England could appeal to the versatile midfielder, who has two goals in seven caps for Nigeria and is currently valued at €8 million, according to Transfermarkt.
